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Bears–Lions rivalry

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Chicago Bears–Detroit Lions
First contestedOctober 22, 1930
Spartans 7, Bears 6
Number of meetings188
Most recent meetingDecember 10, 2023
Bears 28, Lions 13
Next meeting2024
All-time seriesBears, 105–78–5
Postseason resultsBears, 1–0
Largest victoryBears, 49–0 (1941)
Longest win streakBears, 11 (1946–1951)
Lions, 6 (1968–1970, 2013–2015)
Current streakBears, 1 (2023–present)

Template:OSM Location map

The Bears–Lions rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. The franchises first met in 1930 when the Lions were known as the Portsmouth Spartans and based in Portsmouth, Ohio. They moved to Detroit for the 1934 season. The Bears and Lions have been division rivals since 1933 and have usually met twice a season since the Lions franchise began. The two teams play in the two largest metropolitan areas in the Midwest. Chicago and Detroit's home stadiums, Soldier Field and Ford Field, are 280 miles apart and both are easily accessible from I-94. This rivalry is the longest-running annual series in the NFL as both teams have met at least once a season since 1930.[1][lower-alpha 1]

The Bears dominated the rivalry in the early days from the 1930s to the 1950s, when they were a perennial powerhouse team under head coach George "Papa Bear" Halas. Through the 1965 season, the final season before the first Super Bowl was played, Chicago was 47–22–4 against Detroit. However, the series has been subsequently more even, with Chicago going 57–56–1 since that time. This is despite the fact that the Bears have been far more successful than the Lions since that season, reaching the NFC Divisional Playoffs twelve times (winning five of those playoff games, two NFC titles, and a Super Bowl) while the Lions have only reached the Divisional Playoffs three times, winning just one of those games, and have not won an NFC title. The Bears won the only playoff meeting between the two teams, the 1932 NFL Championship Game, 9–0.

Notable rivalry moments[]

  • The 1932 regular season ended with the Spartans (6–1–4) and Bears (6–1–6) tied atop the NFL standings (at the time, ties were not considered in a team's win percentage). There were no playoffs at the time and the champion was simply the team with the better win percentage with head-to-head results serving as the only tiebreaker. As both teams had the same record and they tied both of their meetings during the season, the NFL staged its first ever playoff game. The teams were set to meet at Wrigley Field, but the game was instead moved to the indoor Chicago Stadium due to severe weather, and modified rules were used because the stadium was smaller than regulation size. The Bears won the game, 9–0, to claim the NFL title. The championship game proved to be popular, so the league split into two divisions beginning in 1933 and staged a championship game between the two division winners at the end of the season. To date, this is the two teams' only playoff meeting (although the game officially counted in the regular season standings).
  • The Lions, having just moved to Detroit, decided to schedule an annual game on Thanksgiving in an attempt to draw fans. This idea proved to work as the game was played in front of a sellout crowd. The Bears entered the game with a perfect 11–0 record, while the Lions were 10–1. The Lions built a 16–7 lead at halftime, but the Bears would score 12 unanswered points in the second half to come away with the 19–16 to clinch the NFL Western Division title. The Bears and Lions have met a total of 18 times on Thanksgiving, all in Detroit, with the Bears holding a 10–8 record in the Thanksgiving meetings.
  • Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He remains the only player in NFL history to have died on the field.
  • The Bears come back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime. Bears running back Dave Williams returned the opening kickoff of overtime 95 yards for a touchdown as the Bears left Detroit with a stunning 23–17 win. At the time, it was the shortest overtime in NFL history.
  • The Bears beat the Lions 30-10 in the teams only meeting that year, as the game in Detroit was cancelled during the NFL players strike. To date, this is the only season in which the Lions and Bears have not met twice in a season. Highlights of this game were later shown during the Max Headroom signal hijacking that took place across the city of Chicago that night.
  • The Lions entered Week 17 needing one final win over a last-place Bears team to clinch a playoff spot. Despite building a 10–0 lead in the first quarter, the Lions found themselves trailing 20–17 in the fourth. The Lions tied the game at 20 with under two minutes to go, but the Bears' rookie kicker Paul Edinger secured the win for Chicago with a 54-yard field goal with two seconds left, all but eliminating the Lions from playoff contention. This proved to be a franchise-altering moment for Detroit, who hired Matt Millen in the offseason to rebuild the team.[2]
  • It was a defensive slugfest for the first three quarters, with the score 13-3 in favor of Chicago. However, starting with a Shaun McDonald touchdown pass for Detroit in the early moments of the fourth quarter, the Lions' offense caught fire, scoring an additional 27 points in the fourth quarter, while still allowing two Bears touchdowns, to stun the Bears 37-27. The fourth quarter saw an NFL-record 48-points scored.[3]
  • Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson appeared to catch a touchdown pass late in the game that would have given the Lions the lead, but it was controversially ruled to not be a catch after Johnson was ruled to not have completed the process of catching the ball. Johnson had the ball in both hands, got both feet down, rolled over on his backside and put his hand with the ball in it on the ground. The call was reviewed on the instant replay review, but the "no catch" ruling was upheld. The rule for what defines a catch was updated in 2015, with this play (along with other similar plays) being a large reason for the change.
  • September 13, 2020
  • In both teams' first game of the season, the Lions led the Bears 23–6 in the fourth quarter. The Bears rallied back scoring 21 unanswered points and took a 27–23 lead with 1:54 left in the game. The Lions, however, still had a chance to win. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford drove his team from their own 25 yard line all the way to the Bears' 16 yard line with 11 seconds left. The Lions attempted to go to the endzone but Stafford's pass was dropped in the endzone by Lions rookie running back D'Andre Swift which would've won the game for the Lions. On the next and last play of the game, Stafford's pass to the endzone was broken up by Bears rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson to seal the Bears' 27–23 come-from-behind victory.

Game results[]

Template:Game log start Template:Game log section start |- | 1930 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
14–6 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Spartans
7–6 | Tie
1–1 | Portsmoth Spartans began play in 1930. Spartans win the inaugural meeting to take a 1–0 series lead, the only time the Spartans/Lions would ever lead the series. |- | 1931 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
9–6 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Spartans
3–0 | Tie
2–2 | |- | 1932 | Tie 0–0–2 | Tie
13–13 | Tie
7–7 | Tie
2–2–2 | |- style="font-weight:bold;background:#f2f2f2;" | 1932 Playoffs | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 1–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
9–0 | | Bears
4–2–2 | First ever NFL playoff game necessitated by the Bears and Spartans finishing with identical records and tying both regular season meetings. Game moved indoors to Chicago Stadium, which had smaller-than-regulation dimensions. |- | 1933 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
17–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
17–7 | Bears
6–2–2 | Bears win 1933 NFL Championship. |- | 1934 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
19–16 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
19–16 | Bears
7–2–2 | Spartans move to Detroit and become the Lions. Game in Detroit is the Lions' first annual Thanksgiving home game. Bears lose 1934 NFL Championship. |- | 1935 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 1–0–1 | Tie
20–20 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
14–2 | Bears
7–3–3 | Lions win 1935 NFL Championship. |- | 1936 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
12–10 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
13–7 | Bears
8–4–3 | |- | 1937 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–20 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
13–0 | Bears
10–4–3 | Bears lose 1937 NFL Championship. |- | 1938 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
13–7 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
14–7 | Bears
10–6–3 | |- | 1939 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
10–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
23–13 | Bears
11–7–3 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 1940 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
7–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
17–14 | Bears
12–8–3 | Bears win 1940 NFL Championship. |- | 1941 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
49–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–7 | Bears
14–8–3 | Bears' 49–0 win is the largest margin of victory in the rivalry history for either team. Lions move to Tiger Stadium. Bears win 1941 NFL Championship. |- | 1942 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
16–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
42–0 | Bears
16–8–3 | Bears lose 1942 NFL Championship. |- | 1943 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
35–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–21 | Bears
18–8–3 | Bears win 1943 NFL Championship. |- | 1944 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 1–0–1 | Tie
21–21 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
41–21 | Bears
18–9–4 | |- | 1945 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
35–28 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
16–10 | Bears
18–11–4 | |- | 1946 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
42–6 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
45–24 | Bears
20–11–4 | Bears win 1946 NFL Championship. |- | 1947 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
33–24 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
34–14 | Bears
22–11–4 | |- | 1948 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
42–14 | Bears
24–11–4 | |- | 1949 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–24 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–7 | Bears
26–11–4 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 1950 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
6–3 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
35–23 | Bears
28–11–4 | |- | 1951 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
41–28 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–23 | Bears
29–12–4 | Bears win 11 straight meetings (1946–51). |- | 1952 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–23 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
45–21 | Bears
30–13–4 | Lions win 1952 NFL Championship. |- | 1953 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
35–28 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
16–10 | Bears
30–15–4 | Lions win 1953 NFL Championship. |- | 1954 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–24 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
48–23 | Bears
31–16–4 | Lions lose 1954 NFL Championship. |- | 1955 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
21–20 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–14 | Bears
33–16–4 | |- | 1956 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
38–21 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
42–10 | Bears
34–17–4 | Bears lose 1956 NFL Championship. |- | 1957 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
21–13 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–7 | Bears
35–18–4 | Lions win 1957 NFL Championship. |- | 1958 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
21–16 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
20–7 | Bears
37–18–4 | |- | 1959 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
25–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–14 | Bears
39–18–4 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 1960 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–7 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
36–0 | Bears
40–19–4 | |- | 1961 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
16–15 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
31–17 | Bears
41–20–4 | |- | 1962 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
3–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
11–3 | Bears
42–21–4 | |- | 1963 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
37–21 | Bears
44–21–4 | Bears win 1963 NFL Championship. |- | 1964 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
10–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–24 | Bears
45–22–4 | |- | 1965 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
38–10 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–10 | Bears
47–22–4 | |- | 1966 | Lions 1–0–1 | Tie
10–10 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
14–3 | Bears
47–23–5 | |- | 1967 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
14–3 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–13 | Bears
49–23–5 | |- | 1968 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
28–10 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
42–0 | Bears
49–25–5 | Lions' 42–0 win is the largest margin of victory over the Bears. Lions first season sweep since 1953. |- | 1969 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
20–3 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
13–7 | Bears
49–27–5 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 1970 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
16–10 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
28–14 | Bears
49–29–5 | Both teams placed in the NFC Central after AFL-NFL merger. |- | 1971 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
28–3 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–23 | Bears
50-30–5 | Bears open Soldier Field. |- | 1972 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
38–24 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
14–0 | Bears
50–32–5 | |- | 1973 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
30–7 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
40–7 | Bears
50–34–5 | Lions post an 11–1 record from 1968 to 1973, including a 6-game winning streak in Chicago. |- | 1974 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
17–19 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
34–17 | Bears
51–35–5 | |- | 1975 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
25–21 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
27–7 | Bears
52–36–5 | Lions open Pontiac Silverdome. |- | 1976 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
10–3 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
14–10 | Bears
53–37–5 | |- | 1977 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
30–20 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
31–14 | Bears
55–37–5 | |- | 1978 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
21–17 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
19–0 | Bears
56–38–5 | |- | 1979 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
35–7 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
20–0 | Bears
57–39–5 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 1980 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–7 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
23–17(OT) | Bears
59–39–5 | Dave Williams returns opening kickoff of overtime 95 yards for a touchdown in the game in Detroit. |- | 1981 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
23–7 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
48–17 | Bears
59–41–5 | |- | 1982 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
20–17 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
17–10 | Bears
60–42–5 | Both games played despite players strike reducing the season to 9 games. |- | 1983 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
38–17 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
31–17 | Bears
60–44–5 | |- | 1984 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
16–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
30–13 | Bears
62–44–5 | |- | 1985 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–3 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
37–17 | Bears
64–44–5 | Bears win Super Bowl XX. |- | 1986 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
13–7 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
16–13 | Bears
66–44–5 | |- | 1987 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 1–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
30–10 | no game | Bears
67–44–5 | Game in Detroit cancelled due to 1987 NFL Players strike. Highlights of the game in Chicago were shown during the Max Headroom broadcast intrusion. |- | 1988 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
13–12 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–7 | Bears
69–44–5 | |- | 1989 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
27–17 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
47–27 | Bears
70–45–5 | Bears win 10 straight meetings (1984–89). |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 1990 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
23–17(OT) | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
38–21 | Bears
71–46–5 | |- | 1991 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
20–10 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
16–6 | Bears
72–47–5 | |- | 1992 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–24 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
16–3 | Bears
73–48–5 | |- | 1993 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
20–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
10–6 | Bears
74–49–5 | |- | 1994 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
20–10 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
21–16 | Bears
75–50–5 | |- | 1995 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
24–17 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
27–7 | Bears
75–52–5 | |- | 1996 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
34–14 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
35–16 | Bears
76–53–5 | |- | 1997 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
32–7 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
55–20 | Bears
76–55–5 | |- | 1998 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
31–27 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
26–3 | Bears
77–56–5 | |- | 1999 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–10 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
21–17 | Bears
78–57–5 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 2000 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
21–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
23–20 | Bears
79–58–5 | Bears win in Detroit combined with Rams win eliminates Lions from playoff contention. |- | 2001 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
13–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–0 | Bears
81–58–5 | Bears first season sweep since 1988. |- | 2002 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
20–17(OT) | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
23–20(OT) | Bears
82–59–5 | Bears' home games were at Memorial Stadium due to renovations at Soldier Field. Lions open Ford Field in Detroit. In Chicago, Lions win the coin toss in overtime, but elect to take the wind and not possession. The Bears score on the first possession in overtime and the Lions never get the ball back. |- | 2003 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–16 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
12–10 | Bears
83–60–5 | |- | 2004 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
20–16 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
19–13 | Bears
83–62–5 | |- | 2005 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
38–6 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
19–13(OT) | Bears
85–62–5 | |- | 2006 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
34–7 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
26–21 | Bears
87–62–5 | Bears lose Super Bowl XLI. |- | 2007 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
16–7 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
37–27 | Bears
87–64–5 | An NFL-record 48 points were scored in the fourth quarter in game in Detroit; Chicago led 13–3 after three quarters. |- | 2008 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–23 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
34–7 | Bears
89–64–5 | Lions complete first 0–16 season in NFL history. |- | 2009 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
48–24 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
37–23 | Bears
91–64–5 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 2010 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
19–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–20 | Bears
93–64–5 | Lions WR Calvin Johnson appears to catch a game-winning touchdown in Chicago, but it is controversially ruled a no-catch. |- | 2011 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
37–13 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
24–13 | Bears
94–65–5 | |- | 2012 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
13–7 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
26–24 | Bears
96–65–5 | |- | 2013 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
21–19 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
40–32 | Bears
96–67–5 | |- | 2014 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
20–14 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
34–17 | Bears
96–69–5 | |- | 2015 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
24–20 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
37–34(OT) | Bears
96–71–5 | |- | 2016 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
17–14 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
20–17 | Bears
97–72–5 | |- | 2017 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
27–24 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
20–10 | Bears
97–74–5 | |- | 2018 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
34–22 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
23–16 | Bears
99–74–5 | In spite of the Bears' victory in Chicago, that meeting is particularly infamous for Bears' placekicker Cody Parkey hitting the upright four times (two FG attempts, two XP attempts). |- | 2019 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
20–13 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–20 | Bears
101–74–5 | Bears record their 100th win in the rivalry, becoming the third team to record 100 wins over a single opponent (joining the Green Bay Packers who have 100 wins over the Lions and the New York Giants who have 100 wins over Washington Football Team). Thus, the Lions became the first team to record 100 losses to two different opponents. |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | 2020 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
34–30 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
27–23 | Bears
102–75–5 | Bears come back from down 23–6 in the fourth quarter to win in Detroit. Conversely, Lions overcome 30–20 deficit with three minutes left to win in Chicago. Both games ended on game-winning stop. First time since 2000 that the road team wins both meetings. |- | 2021 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears 2–0 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
24–14 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
16–14 | Bears
104–75–5 | |- | 2022 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions 2–0 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
31–30 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
41–10 | Bears
104–77–5 | |- | 2023 | Tie 1–1 | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;| Bears
28–13 | style="background: #0076B6; border: 3px solid #FFFFFF; color:white;| Lions
31–26 | Bears
105–78–5 | Lions overcome 12-point deficit in 4th quarter in home win, leading them to their first 8–2 record to start a season since 1962. |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |- | Regular season | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;|Bears 104–78–5 | Bears 60–30–4 | Lions 48–44–1 | |- | Postseason | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;|Bears 1–0 | Bears 1–0 | no games | 1932 NFL Championship Game |- | Regular and postseason | style="background: #0B162A; border: 3px solid #C83803; color:white;|Bears 105–78–5 | Bears 61–30–4 | Lions 48–44–1 | |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log end

See also[]

Other sports rivalries involving the same cities:

  • Bulls–Pistons rivalry
  • Blackhawks–Red Wings rivalry
  • George Jewett Trophy
  • Tigers–White Sox rivalry

Other rivalries involving the two teams:

Notes[]

  1. ↑ http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/history/pdfs/History/AT_Tm_v_Tm_2011.pdf Archived 2012-09-06 at the Wayback MachineTemplate:Bare URL PDF
  2. ↑ Schooch, Matt (November 26, 2019). "Paul Edinger's Christmas Eve 2000 kick helped change course of Lions history". The Detroit News. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/11/26/paul-edinger-chicago-bears-kick-changed-course-detroit-lions-history/4306389002/.
  3. ↑ "Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – September 30th, 2007". Pro Football Reference. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200709300det.htm.

References[]

v · d · eChicago Bears
* Formerly the Decatur Staleys and the Chicago Staleys
Franchise
Records
Stadiums
Lore
Culture
Rivalries
Retired numbers
Key personnel
  • Chairman: George McCaskey
  • President/CEO: Ted Phillips
  • General Manager: Phil Emery
  • Head Coach: Marc Trestman
    • NFL championships (9)
    Super Bowl appearances (2)
    Head coaches
    Other honors
  • NFL championship appearances (10) – 1933
  • 1934
  • 1937
  • 1940
  • 1941
  • 1942
  • 1943
  • 1946
  • 1956
  • 1963
    • Current league affiliations
    Former league affiliations
  • League: Independent (1919)
  • Conference: National Conference (1950–1952); Western Conference (1953–1969)
  • Division: NFL Western Division (1933–1949); Central Division (1967–1969); NFC Central Division (1970–2001)
    • Local broadcast affiliates
    *Wikipedia book Book:Chicago Bears
  • Category Category:Chicago Bears
  • WikiProject WikiProject Chicago Bears
    • v · d · eDetroit Lions
    Formerly the Portsmouth Spartans • Founded in 1929 • Based in Detroit, Michigan
    The Franchise
    Stadiums
    Universal Stadium • University of Detroit Stadium • Tiger Stadium • Pontiac Silverdome • Ford Field • Allen Park (practice facilities and team headquarters)
    Culture
    Rivalries
    Lore
    Head Coaches
    Griffin • G. Clark • D. Clark • Henderson • G. Clark • Edwards • Karcis • Dorais • McMillin • Parker • Wilson • Gilmer • Schmidt • McCafferty • Forzano • Hudspeth • M. Clark • Rogers • Fontes • Ross • Moeller • Mornhinweg • Mariucci • Jauron • Marinelli • Schwartz
    Notable people
    League Championships (4)
    1935 • 1952 • 1953 • 1957
    Current League Affiliations
    Broadcasters
    v · d · eNational Football League rivalries
    American Football Conference
    AFC East
    AFC North
    AFC West
    Intraconference
    National Football Conference
    NFC East
    NFC North
    NFC South
    NFC West
    Interconference

    Cowboys–Steelers · Jets–Giants (MetLife Bowl)

    Governor's Cup
    This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Bears–Lions rivalry.
    The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with American Football Database, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


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